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Research Background

Khashayar Vakili, M.D. received his B.A. in Biology from Boston University followed by his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine in 2002. He subsequently completed a General Surgery residency followed by a fellowship in Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery in 2009 at Lahey Clinic Medical Center. In 2009, he joined the Department of Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital as a pediatric transplant surgeon and served as the Surgical Director of the Liver, Kidney, Intestine, and Multivisceral Transplant Programs from 2020-2022. He has been active in several national committees such as Pediatric Committee, Kidney Committee workgroups, and Pediatric Liver Collaborative; advocating for pediatric patients. 

In 2022, Dr. Vakili shifted his focus away from clinical practice to his basic science projects which are funded by the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation, Boston Children's Hospital, and the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health. He is working on finding new therapeutic approaches for liver cancer. He has developed novel cell-based models in his lab to facilitate therapeutic drug screening for the treatment of fibrolamellar carcinoma. In addition, he is utilizing another novel approach for developing diagnostic and therapeutic compounds which may be applicable to various types of liver cancers (hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and fibrolamellar carcinoma). 

Education

Undergraduate School

Boston University
1995 Boston MA

Medical School

Boston University School of Medicine
2002 Boston MA

Residency

Lahey Clinic
2007 Burlington MA

Fellowship

Lahey Clinic
2009 Burlington MA

Media

Caregiver Profile

Meet Dr. Khashayar Vakili

Publications

  1. Single-cell multi-omic analysis of fibrolamellar carcinoma reveals rewired cell-to-cell communication patterns and unique vulnerabilities. bioRxiv. 2024 Dec 12. View Abstract
  2. Clinical and immunophenotype correlating with response to immunotherapy in paediatric patients with primary liver carcinoma. A case series. EBioMedicine. 2024 Jun; 104:105147. View Abstract
  3. DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion protein-regulated LINC00473 promotes tumor growth and alters mitochondrial fitness in fibrolamellar carcinoma. PLoS Genet. 2024 Mar; 20(3):e1011216. View Abstract
  4. Identification of gene fusions associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve. 2024 Apr; 69(4):477-489. View Abstract
  5. Autologous and synthetic pediatric iliofemoral reconstruction: a novel technique for pediatric iliofemoral artery reconstruction. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. 2024 Apr; 10(2):101413. View Abstract
  6. Long-Term Characteristics of Human-Derived Biliary Organoids under a Single Continuous Culture Condition. Cells. 2022 Nov 27; 11(23). View Abstract
  7. Multiomic analysis of microRNA-mediated regulation reveals a proliferative axis involving miR-10b in fibrolamellar carcinoma. JCI Insight. 2022 06 08; 7(11). View Abstract
  8. Case 2-2022: An Adolescent Male in Cardiac Arrest 3 Days After Liver Transplantation for End-Stage Liver Disease. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2022 09 01; 23(9):e440-e450. View Abstract
  9. Organ allocation in pediatric abdominal transplant. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2022 Jun; 31(3):151180. View Abstract
  10. DNAJB1-PRKACA in HEK293T cells induces LINC00473 overexpression that depends on PKA signaling. PLoS One. 2022; 17(2):e0263829. View Abstract
  11. Targeting Tau Mitigates Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Oxidative Stress in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol. 2022 Jan; 59(1):683-702. View Abstract
  12. Midaortic syndrome and renovascular hypertension. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2021 Dec; 30(6):151124. View Abstract
  13. Fibrolamellar carcinoma: An entity all its own. Curr Probl Cancer. 2021 08; 45(4):100770. View Abstract
  14. Surgical management of pediatric renovascular hypertension and midaortic syndrome at a single-center multidisciplinary program. J Vasc Surg. 2021 07; 74(1):79-89.e2. View Abstract
  15. Transient elastography assessment of liver allograft fibrosis in pediatric transplant recipients. Pediatr Transplant. 2020 09; 24(6):e13736. View Abstract
  16. Donor-to-recipient weight ratio is a risk factor for hepatic artery thrombosis after whole-liver transplantation in children under 25 kg. Pediatr Transplant. 2020 03; 24(2):e13623. View Abstract
  17. Perioperative renal transplantation management in small children using adult-sized living or deceased donor kidneys: A single-center experience. Pediatr Transplant. 2019 11; 23(7):e13553. View Abstract
  18. MDM4 expression in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Rep. 2019 Oct; 42(4):1487-1496. View Abstract
  19. Pediatric post-transplant hepatic kaposi sarcoma due to donor-derived human herpesvirus 8. Pediatr Transplant. 2019 05; 23(3):e13384. View Abstract
  20. Whole-Exome Sequencing Enables a Precision Medicine Approach for Kidney Transplant Recipients. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019 02; 30(2):201-215. View Abstract
  21. Hippo Signaling Pathway Dysregulation in Human Huntington's Disease Brain and Neuronal Stem Cells. Sci Rep. 2018 07 27; 8(1):11355. View Abstract
  22. Long-term outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatoblastoma: A single-center 14-year experience. Pediatr Transplant. 2018 Jun 11; e13250. View Abstract
  23. Mesenteric Artery Growth Improves Circulation (MAGIC) in Midaortic Syndrome. Ann Surg. 2018 06; 267(6):e109-e111. View Abstract
  24. Whole Exome Sequencing Reveals a Monogenic Cause of Disease in ˜43% of 35 Families With Midaortic Syndrome. Hypertension. 2018 04; 71(4):691-699. View Abstract
  25. To Split or Not to Split? That is No Longer the Question. J Pediatr. 2018 05; 196:12-13. View Abstract
  26. Tissue expander-stimulated lengthening of arteries for the treatment of midaortic syndrome in children. J Vasc Surg. 2018 06; 67(6):1664-1672. View Abstract
  27. Bilateral native nephrectomy to reduce oxalate stores in children at the time of combined liver-kidney transplantation for primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Pediatr Nephrol. 2018 05; 33(5):881-887. View Abstract
  28. Pediatric liver transplantation. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2017 Aug; 26(4):217-223. View Abstract
  29. Incidence and predictors of massive bleeding in children undergoing liver transplantation: A single-center retrospective analysis. Paediatr Anaesth. 2017 Jul; 27(7):718-725. View Abstract
  30. Multivisceral transplantation for abdominal tumors in children: A single center experience and review of the literature. Pediatr Transplant. 2017 Aug; 21(5). View Abstract
  31. Umbilical Venous Catheter Malposition Is Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Premature Infants. Neonatology. 2017; 111(4):337-343. View Abstract
  32. Variation in resource utilization in liver transplantation at freestanding children's hospitals. Pediatr Transplant. 2016 Nov; 20(7):921-925. View Abstract
  33. YAP Subcellular Localization and Hippo Pathway Transcriptome Analysis in Pediatric Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Sci Rep. 2016 09 08; 6:30238. View Abstract
  34. Outcomes after discontinuation of routine use of transanastomotic biliary stents in pediatric liver transplantation at a single site. Pediatr Transplant. 2016 Aug; 20(5):647-51. View Abstract
  35. Strain induced esophageal growth in a novel rodent model. J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Aug; 51(8):1273-8. View Abstract
  36. Tissue expander stimulated lengthening of arteries (TESLA) induces early endothelial cell proliferation in a novel rodent model. J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Apr; 51(4):617-21. View Abstract
  37. The effect of graft type on mortality in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Transplant. 2015 Mar 30; 20:175-85. View Abstract
  38. Immediate extubation after pediatric liver transplantation: a single-center experience. Liver Transpl. 2015 Jan; 21(1):57-62. View Abstract
  39. Dynamic alterations in Hippo signaling pathway and YAP activation during liver regeneration. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2014 Jul 15; 307(2):G196-204. View Abstract
  40. Partial esophageal transplantation is possible as part of a multivisceral graft. Am J Transplant. 2014 Mar; 14(3):720-3. View Abstract
  41. Neonatal renal physiology. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2013 Nov; 22(4):195-8. View Abstract
  42. Neonatal liver physiology. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2013 Nov; 22(4):185-9. View Abstract
  43. Deceased-donor split-liver transplantation in adult recipients: is the learning curve over? J Am Coll Surg. 2013 Oct; 217(4):672-684.e1. View Abstract
  44. Deceased donor liver transplantation in infants and small children: are partial grafts riskier than whole organs? Liver Transpl. 2013 Jul; 19(7):721-9. View Abstract
  45. Pediatric blunt abdominal aortic injury and the use of intra-operative aortic ultrasound for surgical decision making. J Pediatr Surg. 2013 Jul; 48(7):1584-7. View Abstract
  46. Midaortic syndrome: 30 years of experience with medical, endovascular and surgical management. Pediatr Nephrol. 2013 Oct; 28(10):2023-33. View Abstract
  47. Reno-portal anastomosis as an approach to pediatric kidney transplantation in the setting of inferior vena cava thrombosis. Pediatr Transplant. 2013 May; 17(3):E88-92. View Abstract
  48. Aorto-mesenteric and renal allograft transplant: a novel treatment for midaortic syndrome. Am J Transplant. 2013 Apr; 13(4):1088-1092. View Abstract
  49. A novel treatment for the midaortic syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2012 Dec 13; 367(24):2361-2. View Abstract
  50. Multivisceral transplantation using a 2.9 kg neonatal donor. Pediatr Transplant. 2012 Dec; 16(8):E379-82. View Abstract
  51. Living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Increased recurrence but improved survival. Liver Transpl. 2009 Dec; 15(12):1861-6. View Abstract
  52. Biliary anatomy and embryology. Surg Clin North Am. 2008 Dec; 88(6):1159-74, vii. View Abstract
  53. Inhibition of plaque neovascularization reduces macrophage accumulation and progression of advanced atherosclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Apr 15; 100(8):4736-41. View Abstract
  54. Increased orbitofrontal cortex levels of choline in depressed adolescents as detected by in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Biol Psychiatry. 2000 Dec 01; 48(11):1053-61. View Abstract
  55. Hippocampal volume in primary unipolar major depression: a magnetic resonance imaging study. Biol Psychiatry. 2000 Jun 15; 47(12):1087-90. View Abstract

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